<PAGE>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 26, 1995
-------------
AMERICAN MAIZE-PRODUCTS COMPANY
---------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Maine 1-6244 13-0432720
--------------- ----------- ------------------
(State or other (Commission (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of File No.) Identification No.)
incorporation)
250 Harbor Drive, Stamford, Connecticut 06902
------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (203) 356-9000
--------------
None
------------------------------------------------------------
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
1
<PAGE>
Item 5. Other Events
------------
American Maize-Products Company (the "Company") hereby incorporates by
reference the description of the proposed transaction between the Company,
Eridania Beghin-Say, S.A. ("Eridania") and Cerestar USA II, Inc., a Delaware
corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Eridania ("Cerestar"), which is
described in (1) the Agreement and Plan of Merger among the Company, Eridania
and Cerestar dated as of July 26, 1995 (such agreement being Exhibit 2.1
attached hereto) and (2) the press release of the Company dated July 26, 1995
announcing the proposed transaction and certain related transactions among
Eridania and certain stockholders of the Company (such press release being
Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto).
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
---------------------------------
(c) Exhibits.
--------
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger among American Maize-Products
Company, Eridania Beghin-Say, S.A. and Cerestar USA II,
Inc., dated as of July 26, 1995.
99.1 Press release of the Company, dated July 26, 1995.
2
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
AMERICAN MAIZE-PRODUCTS COMPANY
By /s/ EDWARD P. NORRIS
---------------------------------
Name: Edward P. Norris
Title: Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Date: July 28, 1995
3
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
-------------
Number Subject Matter
- ------ --------------
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger among American Maize-Products
Company, Eridania Beghin-Say, S.A. and Cerestar USA II, Inc.,
dated as of July 26, 1995.
99.1 Press release of the Company, dated July 26, 1995.
4
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 2.1
EXECUTION COPY
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
among
AMERICAN MAIZE-PRODUCTS COMPANY,
ERIDANIA BEGHIN-SAY, S.A.
and
CERESTAR USA II, INC.
Dated as of July 26, 1995
<PAGE>
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
----------------------------
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this "Agreement"), dated as of July 26, 1995,
among American Maize-Products Company, a Maine corporation (the "Company"),
Eridania Beghin-Say, S.A., a corporation organized under the laws of France
("Purchaser"), and Cerestar USA II, Inc., a Delaware corporation and an indirect
wholly-owned subsidiary of Purchaser ("Merger Sub" and, together with the
Company, the "Constituent Corporations").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of Purchaser and the Company each have
determined that it is in the best interests of their respective shareholders for
Purchaser to acquire the Company upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, concurrent herewith, the Purchaser, Cerestar USA, Inc., a Delaware
corporation and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Purchaser
("Cerestar"), and all of the shareholders of GIH Corp., a Delaware corporation
("GIH"), are entering into a stock purchase agreement (the "GIH Stock Purchase
Agreement") pursuant to which such shareholders have agreed to sell and Cerestar
has agreed to purchase, immediately prior to the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and subject to the terms and
conditions contained in the GIH Stock Purchase Agreement, all of the outstanding
shares of common stock of GIH; and
WHEREAS, concurrent herewith, the Purchaser and Cerestar and Mr. William
Ziegler, III, and certain trusts for the benefit of the Ziegler family (the
"Ziegler Parties") are entering into a stock purchase agreement (the "Swisher
Stock Purchase Agreement") pursuant to which the Purchaser and Cerestar have
agreed to cause the Company to sell and the Ziegler Parties have agreed to
purchase, immediately subsequent to the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and subject to the terms and conditions contained
in the Swisher Stock Purchase Agreement, 88% of the outstanding shares of common
stock of Swisher International, Inc.
WHEREAS, the Company, Purchaser and Merger Sub desire to make certain
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with this
Agreement.
<PAGE>
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and of the
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements, contained herein, the
parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
The Merger; Closing; Effective Time
1.1. The Merger. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
----------
at the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.3) Merger Sub shall be merged
with and into the Company and the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub
shall thereupon cease (the "Merger"). The Company shall be the surviving
corporation in the Merger (sometimes hereinafter referred to as the "Surviving
Corporation") and the separate corporate existence of the Company with all its
rights, privileges, immunities, powers and franchises shall continue unaffected
by the Merger, except as set forth in Section 2.1. The Merger shall have the
effects specified in the Maine Business Corporation Act (the "MBCA").
1.2. Closing. The closing of the Merger (the "Closing") shall take place
-------
(i) at the offices of Sullivan & Cromwell, 125 Broad Street, New York, New York
at 10:00 a.m. on the first business day on which the last to be fulfilled or
waived of the conditions set forth in Article VI hereof shall be fulfilled or
waived in accordance with this Agreement or (ii) at such other place and time
and/or on such other date as the Company and Purchaser may agree.
1.3. Effective Time. As soon as practicable following the Closing, and
--------------
provided that this Agreement has not been terminated or abandoned pursuant to
Article VII hereof, the Company, the Purchaser and Merger Sub shall cause
Articles of Merger (the "Maine Articles of Merger") to be executed and filed
with the Secretary of State of Maine as provided in Section 903 of the MBCA and
a Certificate of Merger (the "Delaware Certificate of Merger") to be executed
and filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware as provided in Section 251 of
the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL"). The Merger shall become
effective (the "Effective Time") on the date on which the last of the following
actions shall have been completed: (a) the Maine Articles of Merger have been
duly filed with the Secretary of State of Maine or (b) the Delaware Certificate
of Merger has been duly filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware.
-2-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE II
Certificate of Incorporation; By-Laws;
Officers and Directors of the Surviving Corporation
2.1. The Articles of Incorporation. The Certificate of Incorporation (the
-----------------------------
"Certificate") of Merger Sub in effect at the Effective Time shall be the
Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation, shall be filed with the
Secretary of State of Maine as the Certificate for the Surviving Corporation and
shall remain in effect as such until duly amended in accordance with the terms
thereof and the MBCA.
2.2. The By-Laws. The By-Laws of Merger Sub in effect at the Effective
-----------
Time shall be the By-Laws of the Surviving Corporation and shall remain in
effect as such until duly amended in accordance with the terms thereof and the
MBCA.
2.3. Officers and Directors. The directors of Merger Sub and the officers
----------------------
of the Company at the Effective Time shall, from and after the Effective Time,
be the directors and officers, respectively, of the Surviving Corporation until
their successors have been duly elected or appointed and qualified or until
their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the Surviving
Corporation's Certificate and By-Laws and the MBCA.
ARTICLE III
Conversion or Cancellation of Shares in the Merger
3.1. Conversion or Cancellation of Shares. The manner of converting or
------------------------------------
cancelling shares of the Company and Merger Sub in the Merger shall be as
follows:
(a) At the Effective Time, each share of the Class A Common Stock of the
Company, par value $0.80 per share (the "Class A Common Stock"), and each share
of the Class B Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.80 per share (the
"Class B Common Stock" and, together with the Class A Common Stock, the
"Shares") issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other
than Shares owned by Purchaser, Merger Sub or any other subsidiary or affiliate
of Purchaser (collectively, the "Purchaser Companies") or Shares which are held
by shareholders ("Dissenting Shareholders") exercising appraisal rights pursuant
to Section 909 of the MBCA or Shares which are held in the Company's treasury at
the Effective Time) shall, by
-3-
<PAGE>
virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof,
be converted into the right to receive, without interest, an amount in cash
equal to $40.00 (the "Merger Consideration"). All such Shares, by virtue of the
Merger and without any action on the part of the holders thereof, shall no
longer be outstanding and shall be cancelled and retired and shall cease to
exist, and each holder of a certificate representing any such Shares shall
thereafter cease to have any rights with respect to such Shares, except the
right to receive the Merger Consideration for such Shares upon the surrender of
such certificate in accordance with Section 3.2 or the right, if any, to receive
payment from the Surviving Corporation of the "fair value" of such Shares as
determined in accordance with Section 909 of the MBCA.
(b) At the Effective Time, each share of Common Stock, without par value,
of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Merger Sub
or the holders of such shares, be converted into one share of common stock of
the Surviving Corporation.
(c) Immediately prior to the Effective Time, each option or right to
acquire Shares or stock appreciation rights with respect to the Shares ("SARs"),
shall, without any action on the part of the holder thereof, and whether or not
then exercisable, be converted into the right to receive an amount in cash (the
"Option Amount"), if any, equal to the product of (x) the Merger Consideration
minus the current option, acquisition or base price per share of such option or
right and (y) the number of Shares subject to such option or right, payable to
the holder thereof without interest thereon, at the Effective Time of the Merger
and such option or right will be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist;
provided that the Company shall be entitled to withhold, in accordance with
- --------
applicable law, from any such cash payment any amounts required to be withheld
under applicable law. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if it is
determined that compliance with any of the foregoing may cause any individual
subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act") to become subject to the profit recovery provisions thereof, any
such option or right held by such individual shall, if such individual so
agrees, subject to the proviso to this sentence, be cancelled or converted, as
the case may be, at the Effective Time or at such later time as may be necessary
to avoid application of such profit recovery provisions and such individual will
be entitled to receive from the Company or the Surviving Corporation an
-4-
<PAGE>
amount in cash in respect thereof equal to the Option Amount; provided that the
--------
parties hereto will cooperate so as to attempt to achieve the intent of the
foregoing without giving rise to such profit recovery. If and to the extent
required by the terms of the plans governing such options or rights or pursuant
to the terms of any option or right granted thereunder, the Company shall use
all reasonable efforts to obtain the consent of each holder of outstanding stock
options or rights to the foregoing treatment of such stock options or rights and
to take any other action reasonably necessary to effectuate the foregoing
provisions. The Company shall take all reasonably necessary action to provide
that the Stock Plans (as hereinafter defined) shall be terminated as of the
Effective Time.
(d) At the Effective Time, each Share issued and outstanding at the
Effective Time and owned by any of the Purchaser Companies, and each Share
issued and held in the Company's treasury at the Effective Time, shall, by
virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof,
cease to be outstanding, shall be cancelled and retired without payment of any
consideration therefor and shall cease to exist.
3.2. Payment for Shares. Purchaser shall make available or cause to be
------------------
made available to the paying agent appointed by Purchaser with the Company's
prior approval (the "Paying Agent") amounts sufficient in the aggregate to
provide all funds necessary for the Paying Agent to make payments pursuant to
Section 3.1(a) hereof to holders of Shares issued and outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time. Promptly after the Effective Time, the Surviving
Corporation shall cause to be mailed to each person who was, at the Effective
Time, a holder of record (other than any of the Purchaser Companies) of issued
and outstanding Shares a form (mutually agreed to by Purchaser and the Company)
of letter of transmittal and instructions for use in effecting the surrender of
the certificates which, immediately prior to the Effective Time, represented any
of such Shares in exchange for payment therefor. Upon surrender to the Paying
Agent of such certificates, together with such letter of transmittal, duly
executed and completed in accordance with the instructions thereto, the
Surviving Corporation shall promptly cause to be paid to the persons entitled
thereto a check in the amount to which such persons are entitled, after giving
effect to any withholdings required under Section 3406 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). No interest will be paid or will accrue
on the amount payable upon the surrender of any such certificate. If payment is
to be made to a person other than the registered holder of the certificate
-5-
<PAGE>
surrendered, it shall be a condition of such payment that the certificate so
surrendered shall be properly endorsed or otherwise in proper form for transfer
and that the person requesting such payment shall pay any transfer or other
taxes required by reason of the payment to a person other than the registered
holder of the certificate surrendered or establish to the satisfaction of the
Surviving Corporation or the Paying Agent that such tax has been paid or is not
applicable. One hundred and eighty days following the Effective Time, the
Surviving Corporation shall be entitled to cause the Paying Agent to deliver to
it any funds (including any interest received with respect thereto) made
available to the Paying Agent which have not been disbursed to holders of
certificates formerly representing Shares outstanding on the Effective Time, and
thereafter such holders shall be entitled to look to the Surviving Corporation
only as general creditors thereof with respect to the cash payable upon due
surrender of their certificates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the
Paying Agent nor any party hereto shall be liable to any holder of certificates
formerly representing Shares for any amount paid to a public official pursuant
to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law. The Surviving
Corporation shall pay all charges and expenses, including those of the Paying
Agent, in connection with the exchange of cash for Shares and Purchaser shall
reimburse the Surviving Corporation for such charges and expenses.
3.3. Dissenters' Rights. If any Dissenting Shareholder shall be entitled
------------------
to be paid the "fair value" of his or her Shares, as provided in Section 909 of
the MBCA, the Company shall give Purchaser prompt notice thereof (and shall also
give Purchaser prompt notice of any withdrawals of such demands) and Purchaser
shall have the right to direct all negotiations and proceedings with respect to
any such demands. Neither the Company nor the Surviving Corporation shall,
except with the prior written consent of Purchaser, voluntarily make any payment
with respect to, or settle or offer to settle, any such demand for payment. If
any Dissenting Shareholder shall fail to perfect or shall have effectively
withdrawn or lost the right to dissent, the Shares held by such Dissenting
Shareholder shall thereupon be treated as though such Shares had been converted
into the Merger Consideration pursuant to Section 3.1.
3.4. Transfer of Shares After the Effective Time. No transfers of Shares
-------------------------------------------
shall be made on the stock transfer books of the Surviving Corporation at or
after the Effective Time.
-6-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE IV
Representations and Warranties
4.1. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby
---------------------------------------------
represents and warrants to Purchaser and Merger Sub that:
(a) Corporate Organization and Qualification. Each of the Company and its
----------------------------------------
subsidiaries is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation and is
in good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction where the
properties owned, leased or operated, or the business conducted, by it require
such qualification, except for such failure to be so organized, existing or in
good standing, which, when taken together with all other such failures, would
not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, properties,
business or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a
whole. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has the corporate requisite
power and authority to carry on its respective businesses as they are now being
conducted, except where the failure to have such power and authority, when taken
together with all other such failures, would not have a material adverse effect
on the financial condition, properties, business or results of operations of the
Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. The Company has made available
to Purchaser a complete and correct copy of the Company's Restated Articles of
Incorporation (the "Articles") and By-Laws, each as amended to date. The
Company's Articles and By-Laws so delivered are in full force and effect;
(b) Authorized Capital. The authorized capital stock of the Company
------------------
consists of 2,500,000 shares of Series Preferred Stock, without par value (the
"Preferred Shares"), 15,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.80
per share, and 2,500,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.80 per
share, of which 8,728,074 shares of Class A Common Stock and 1,742,057 shares of
Class B Common Stock and no Preferred Shares were outstanding, and 345,429
shares of Class A Common Stock and 67,225 shares of Class B Common Stock were
held in treasury, on June 30, 1995. All of the outstanding Shares have been
duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. The
Company has no Shares or Preferred Shares reserved for issuance, except
that, as of June 30, 1995, there were 567,098 shares of Class A Common Stock
reserved for issuance pursuant to options granted under the 1985 Stock Option
Plan, 1986 Stock Option Plan and 1994 Stock Plan (collectively, the "Stock
-7-
<PAGE>
Plans"). Each of the outstanding shares of capital stock of each of the
Company's subsidiaries is duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and owned, either directly or indirectly, by the Company free and
clear of all liens, pledges, security interests, claims or other encumbrances.
Except as set forth above, there are no shares of capital stock of the Company
authorized, issued or outstanding and except as set forth above and as set forth
in the Articles of Incorporation of the Company, there are no preemptive rights
nor any outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, rights, convertible or
exchangeable securities or other agreements or commitments of any character of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries relating to the issuance of, or any
securities convertible into or exchangeable for, the issued or unissued capital
stock, voting or other securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
Except as set forth in Schedule 4.1(b), there are no outstanding obligations of
the Company or any subsidiary to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any
capital stock or other securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or
to provide funds to, or make any investment in (in the form of a loan, capital
contribution or otherwise), any other person. Except as set forth in Schedule
4.1(b), neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has authorized or
outstanding any bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness the holders of
which have the right to vote (or convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable
for securities having the right to vote) with the shareholders of the Company or
any of its subsidiaries on any matter. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.1(b),
after the Effective Time the Surviving Corporation will have no obligation to
issue, transfer or sell any Shares or common stock of the Surviving Corporation
pursuant to any Plan (as defined in Section 4.1(h));
(c) Corporate Authority. Subject only to approval of this Agreement by
-------------------
the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares
of the Class A Common Stock (voting as a class) and the affirmative vote of a
majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of the Class B Common
Stock (voting as a class), the Company has the requisite corporate power and
authority and has taken all corporate action necessary in order to execute and
deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
This Agreement is a valid and binding agreement of the Company enforceable
against the Company in accordance with its terms;
(d) Governmental Filings; No Violations. (i) Other than the filings
-----------------------------------
provided for in Section 1.3 hereof, as required under the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust
-8-
<PAGE>
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act"), the American Stock
Exchange, Environmental Laws (as defined in Section 4.1(k)) and the Exchange Act
or deemed advisable under Section 721 of Title VII of the Defense Production Act
of 1950, as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (the
"Exon-Florio Amendment") (collectively, the "Regulatory Filings"), except as set
forth in Schedule 4.1(d), no notices, reports or other filings are required to
be made by the Company with, nor are any consents, registrations, approvals,
permits or authorizations required to be obtained by the Company from, any
governmental or regulatory authority, agency, commission or other entity,
domestic or foreign ("Governmental Entity"), in connection with the execution
and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the
Company of the transactions contemplated hereby, the failure to make or obtain
any or all of which would have a material adverse effect on the financial
condition, properties, business or results of operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole, or would have a material adverse effect on the
Company's ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(ii) Except as disclosed in the Company Reports (as defined in Section
4.1(e)) and except as set forth in Schedule 4.1(d), the execution and delivery
of this Agreement by the Company do not, and the consummation by the Company of
the transactions contemplated hereby will not, constitute or result in (w) a
breach or violation of, or a default under, the Articles or By-Laws of the
Company or the comparable governing instruments of any of its subsidiaries, (x)
a breach or violation of, or a default under any Plan or any grant or award made
under any Plan, (y) a breach or violation of, or a default under, the
acceleration of or the creation of a lien, pledge, security interest or other
encumbrance on assets (with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of
time) pursuant to any provision of any agreement, lease, contract, note,
mortgage, indenture, arrangement or obligation ("Contracts") of the Company or
any of its subsidiaries or any law, rule, ordinance or regulation or judgment,
decree, order, award or governmental or nongovernmental permit or license to
which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject or (z) any change in the
rights or obligations of any party under any of the Contracts, except, in the
case of clause (y) or (z) above, for such breaches, violations, defaults,
accelerations or changes that, alone or in the aggregate, would not have a
material adverse effect on the financial condition, properties, business or
results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or
that would not have
-9-
<PAGE>
a material adverse effect on the Company's ability to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(e) Company Reports; Financial Statements. The Company has made available
-------------------------------------
to Purchaser each registration statement, schedule, report, proxy statement or
information statement prepared by it since December 31, 1994, including, without
limitation, (i) the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1994, as amended on Form 10-K/A dated June 28, 1995, (ii) the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 30, 1995, and
(iii) the Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated January 6, 1995, March 24,
1995, March 29, 1995, March 30, 1995, March 31, 1995, April 10, 1995, April 12,
1995 and July 11, 1995, each in the form (including exhibits and any amendments
thereto) filed with the SEC (collectively, the "Company Reports"). As of their
respective dates, the Company Reports did not, and any Company Reports filed
with the SEC subsequent to the date hereof will not, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the
circumstances in which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that
-------- -------
the foregoing shall not apply to the extent that any such untrue statement of a
material fact or omission to state a material fact was made by the Company in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information concerning the
Purchaser Companies furnished to the Company by Purchaser specifically for use
in the Company Reports. Each of the consolidated balance sheets included in or
incorporated by reference into the Company Reports (including the related notes
and schedules) fairly presents the consolidated financial position of the
Company and its subsidiaries as of its date and each of the consolidated
statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows and of changes in
financial position included in or incorporated by reference into the Company
Reports (including any related notes and schedules) fairly presents the results
of operations, retained earnings and changes in financial position, as the case
may be, of the Company and its subsidiaries for the periods set forth therein
(subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit
adjustments which will not be material in amount or effect), in each case in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied
during the periods involved, except as may be noted therein. Other than the
Company Reports, the Company has not filed any other definitive reports or
statements with the SEC since December 31, 1994;
-10-
<PAGE>
(f) Absence of Certain Changes. Except as disclosed in the Company
--------------------------
Reports filed with the SEC prior to the date hereof or as set forth in Schedule
4.1(f), since December 31, 1994, the Company and its subsidiaries have conducted
their respective businesses only in, and have not engaged in any transaction
other than according to, the ordinary and usual course of such businesses
(except for such departures from the ordinary and usual course of such
businesses which, individually or in the aggregate, would not be material to the
business of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole) and there has not
been (i) any material adverse change in the financial condition, properties,
business or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a
whole or any development or combination of developments which is reasonably
likely to result in any such change; (ii) any declaration, setting aside or
payment of any dividend or other distribution with respect to the capital stock
of the Company, other than regular quarterly cash dividends not in excess of
$0.17 per Share; or (iii) any change by the Company in accounting principles or
practices, except as required by generally accepted accounting principles.
Since December 31, 1994, except as provided for herein, as disclosed in the
Company Reports filed with the SEC prior to the date hereof or as set forth in
Schedule 4.1(f), and other than in the ordinary course or as required by law or
to maintain the tax-qualified status of any Plan, there has not been any
material increase in the compensation payable or which could become payable by
the Company and its subsidiaries to their officers or key employees, or any
amendment of any Plans which would result in any such increase;
(g) Litigation and Liabilities. Except as disclosed in the Company
--------------------------
Reports filed with the SEC prior to the date hereof or as set forth in Schedule
4.1(g), there are no (i) civil, criminal or administrative actions, suits,
claims, hearings, investigations or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of
the management of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or (ii) obligations or liabilities, whether or not accrued,
contingent or otherwise, including, without limitation, those relating to
matters involving any Environmental Law (as defined in Section 4.1(k)), or any
other facts or circumstances of which the management of the Company is aware
that is reasonably likely to result in any claims against or obligations or
liabilities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, that, alone or in the
aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on the financial condition,
properties, business or results of operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole;
-11-
<PAGE>
(h) Employee Benefits. (i) Schedule 4.1(h) contains a complete and
-----------------
accurate list of all existing bonus, deferred compensation, pension, retirement,
profit-sharing, thrift, savings, employee stock ownership, stock bonus, stock
purchase, restricted stock, stock option, severance and welfare benefit plans,
employment or severance agreements and all similar arrangements that are
maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (the "Plans") for the
benefit of any employee or former employee or director or former director of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries (the "Employees"). Except as set forth on
Schedule 4.1(h) or pursuant to collective bargaining agreements or as is
required by law or to maintain tax-qualified status, neither the Company nor any
of its subsidiaries has any formal commitment, whether legally binding or not,
to create any additional Plan or to modify or change any existing Plan that
would provide a material increase in benefits for any Employee.
(ii) Each Plan has been operated and administered in all material respects
in accordance with its terms and with applicable law, including, but not limited
to, the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")
and the Code, except for any failures to comply with this provision which, when
taken together with all other failures to comply with this provision, would not
have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, properties, business
or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Each Plan which is an "employee pension benefit plan" within the meaning of
Section 3(2) of ERISA (a "Pension Plan") and which is intended to be qualified
under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter
from the Internal Revenue Service for "TRA" (as defined in Rev. Proc. 93-39).
Except as would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition,
properties, business or results of operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole, there is no pending or, to the knowledge of the
Company's management, threatened legal action, suit or claim relating to the
Plans, other than claims for benefits in the ordinary course of business.
Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has engaged in a transaction
with respect to any Plan that, assuming the taxable period of such transaction
expired as of the date hereof, would subject the Company or any of its
subsidiaries to a tax or penalty imposed by either Section 4975 of the Code or
Section 502(i) of ERISA in an amount which would have a material adverse effect
on the financial condition, properties, business or results of operations of the
Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
-12-
<PAGE>
(iii) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.1(h), no unsatisfied liability
under Title IV of ERISA has been or, based on actions that have been taken or
that are proposed to be taken, is expected to be incurred by the Company or any
subsidiary with respect to any ongoing, frozen or terminated "single-employer
plan", within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, currently or within
the past five years maintained by any of them, or any single-employer plan of
any entity (an "ERISA Affiliate") which is considered one employer with the
Company under Section 4001 of ERISA or Section 414 of the Code, during its
affiliation with the Company (an "ERISA Affiliate Plan"). No notice of a
"reportable event", within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA for which the
30-day reporting requirement has not been waived, has been required to be filed
for any Pension Plan or by any ERISA Affiliate Plan within the 12-month period
ending on the date hereof. To the knowledge of the Company's management, the
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the "PBGC") has not instituted proceedings
to terminate any Pension Plan or ERISA Affiliate Plan and, to the knowledge of
the Company's management, no condition exists that presents a material risk that
such proceedings will be instituted.
(iv) All contributions required to be made under the terms of any Plan or
ERISA Affiliate Plan have been timely made or adequate reserves in respect
thereof have been established on the books of the Company. Neither any Pension
Plan nor any ERISA Affiliate Plan has an "accumulated funding deficiency"
(whether or not waived) within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section
302 of ERISA and all required payments to the PBGC (other than insurance
premiums) with respect to each Pension Plan or ERISA Affiliate Plan have been
made on or before their due dates. Neither the Company nor its subsidiaries has
provided, or is required to provide, security to any Pension Plan or to any
ERISA Affiliate Plan pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) of the Code.
(v) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1(h), with respect to each Pension
Plan which is a single-employer plan covered under Title IV of ERISA and each
ERISA Affiliate Plan, there has not been an adverse change in the financial
condition of such Plan(s) since the date of the latest actuarial report prepared
for such Plan(s) which would have caused a material change in the funded status
of such Plan(s) from the status as of such date. None of the Company, any of
its subsidiaries or an ERISA Affiliate (during its affiliation with the Company)
has contributed to or been obligated to contribute to a multiemployer plan
-13-
<PAGE>
(within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA) during the five years preceding
the date hereof.
(vi) All Plans covering foreign Employees comply in all material respects
with applicable local law except for any failures to comply with this provision
which, when taken together with all other failures to comply with this
provision, would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition,
properties, business or results of operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole. The Company and its subsidiaries have no
material unfunded liabilities with respect to any Pension Plan which covers
foreign Employees.
(vii) With respect to each Plan, the Company has made available to
Purchaser, if applicable, true and complete copies of: (s) all current Plan
documents and all amendments thereto; (t) all current trust instruments and
insurance contracts; (u) the last two Forms 5500 filed with the Internal Revenue
Service; (v) the most recent actuarial report and financial statement; (w) the
most recent summary plan description; (x) any and all forms filed with the PBGC
during the last two years; (y) the most recent determination letter issued by
the Internal Revenue Service; and (z) any Forms 5310 or 5330 filed with the
Internal Revenue Service during the last two years.
(viii) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1(h), or as contemplated by
Section 3.1(c) hereof or as would otherwise occur notwithstanding whether the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement constitutes a
"Change in Control" or other trigger event in the applicable Plan, the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not
directly (or indirectly upon a termination of employment): (i) entitle any
Employee to severance or termination pay or (ii) accelerate the timing of any
payment or the vesting of any rights or increase the amount of any compensation
due any Employee.
(ix) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1(h) and other than the
transactions contemplated by Section 3.1(c) hereof, as a direct or indirect
result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, neither the
Company nor the Purchaser will be obligated to make a payment to an individual
that would not be deductible as a result of the application of Section 280G of
the Code;
(i) Brokers and Finders. Neither the Company nor any of its officers,
-------------------
directors or employees has employed any broker or finder or incurred any
liability for any brokerage
-14-
<PAGE>
fees, commissions or finders fees in connection with the transactions
contemplated herein, except that the Company has employed CS First Boston
Corporation as its financial advisor, the arrangements with which have been
disclosed in writing to Purchaser prior to the date hereof; and CS First Boston
Corporation has delivered to the Board of Directors of the Company its written
opinion that the consideration to be received pursuant to the Merger is fair to
the Company's shareholders from a financial point of view, subject to the
assumptions and qualifications set forth in such opinion;
(j) Takeover Statutes. The Board has taken and will take all appropriate
-----------------
and necessary action such that the provisions of Section 611-A of the MBCA will
not apply to the Merger pursuant to this Agreement or the purchase and sale of
the common stock of GIH pursuant to the GIH Stock Purchase Agreement; to the
Company's knowledge, except for Section 910 of the MBCA, no other "fair price,"
"moratorium," "control share acquisition" or other similar anti-takeover statute
or regulation is applicable to the Company, the Shares or the Merger pursuant to
this Agreement.
(k) Environmental Matters. Except as disclosed in the Company Reports
---------------------
filed with the SEC prior to the date hereof and except as set forth in Schedule
4.1(k) and except for such matters that, alone or in the aggregate, would not
have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, properties, business
or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole,
to the knowledge of the officers and managers of the Company having oversight of
the Company's compliance with law, (i) the Company and its subsidiaries have
complied with all applicable Environmental Laws (as defined herein); (ii) the
properties presently owned or operated by the Company or its subsidiaries
(including, without limitation, soil, groundwater or surface water on or under
the properties, and buildings thereon) (the "Properties") do not contain any
Hazardous Substance (as defined herein) in concentrations exceeding any
applicable remediation standard, action level or written enforcement policy
under any applicable Environmental Law, do not, and, during the ownership or
operation of the Properties by the Company, have not, contained any underground
storage tanks, and do not have any asbestos present (and, during the ownership
or operation of the Properties by the Company, have not had any asbestos removed
therefrom); (iii) the properties formerly owned or operated by the Company or
its subsidiaries (including, without limitation, soil, groundwater or surface
water on or under the properties, and buildings thereon) (the "Former
Properties"), during the period of ownership or operation of
-15-
<PAGE>
such Former Properties by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, did not, as a
result of the action or omission of the Company or any of its subsidiaries,
contain any Hazardous Substance in concentrations exceeding any applicable
remediation standard, action level or written enforcement policy under
applicable Environmental law, did not contain any underground storage tanks and
did not have any asbestos present; (iv) neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries has received any formal notices, demand letters or request for
information from any Governmental Entity or any third party that the Company may
be in violation of, or liable under, any Environmental Law and none of the
Company, its subsidiaries or the Properties are subject to any court order,
administrative order or decree arising under any Environmental Law; and (v) no
Hazardous Substance has been disposed of, transferred, released or transported
by the Company or any of its subsidiaries from any of the Properties or Former
Properties during the time such Property or Former Property was owned or
operated by the Company or one of its subsidiaries, other than as would not be
expected to result in liability and allowed under applicable Environmental Law
at the time the disposal, transfer, release or transportation occurred and other
than disposal at commercial or municipal disposal sites that are not presently
listed on the CERCLA National Priorities List or any equivalent state list.
"Environmental Law" means (i) any Federal, state or local law, statute,
ordinance, rule, regulation, code, license, permit, authorization, approval,
consent, common law, legal doctrine, order, judgment, decree, injunction,
requirement or agreement with any Governmental Entity, relating to (x) the
protection, preservation or restoration of the environment (including, without
limitation, air, water vapor, surface water, groundwater, drinking water supply,
surface land, subsurface land, plant and animal life or any other natural
resource), or to human health or safety, or (y) the exposure to, or the use,
storage, recycling, treatment, generation, transportation, processing, handling,
labeling, production, release or disposal of Hazardous Substances, in each case
as amended and as now in effect. "Hazardous Substance" means any substance
presently listed, defined, designated or classified as hazardous, toxic or
radioactive, or otherwise regulated for its potential adverse effect on the
environment or human health or safety, under any Environmental Law, whether by
type or by quantity, including any substance containing any such substance as a
component;
(l) Intellectual Property. Except as disclosed in the Company Reports
---------------------
filed with the SEC prior to the date
-16-
<PAGE>
hereof and except as set forth in Schedule 4.1(l), the Company owns, or is
licensed to use, all patents, trademarks, tradenames, service marks, copyrights
and any applications therefor, technology, know-how, computer software programs
or applications and tangible or intangible proprietary information or material
that are used or proposed to be used in the business of the Company and its
subsidiaries as currently conducted or proposed to be conducted (the "Company IP
Rights") and all such granted and issued patents, registered trademarks and
copyrights held by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company are valid,
enforceable and subsisting except for such Company IP Rights the absence of
which, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse
effect on the financial condition, properties, business or results of operations
of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. Except as disclosed in
the Company Reports filed with the SEC prior to the date hereof and except as
set forth in Schedule 4.1(l), no material claims with respect to the Company IP
Rights have been asserted or, to the knowledge of management of the Company, are
threatened by any person;
(m) Compliance with Laws. Except as disclosed in the Company Reports
--------------------
filed with the SEC prior to the date hereof or as set forth in Schedule 4.1(m),
the Company and its subsidiaries each has all permits, licenses, certificates of
authority, orders and approvals of, and has made all filings, applications and
registrations with any Governmental Entity that are required in order to permit
it to carry on its business as it is presently conducted and the absence of
which would, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on
the financial condition, properties, business or results of operations of the
Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; all such permits, licenses,
certificates of authority, orders and approvals are now in full force and
effect, and, to the best knowledge of management of the Company, no suspension
or cancellation of any of them is threatened, in each case except as would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the
financial condition, properties, business or results of operations of the
Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole;
(n) Taxes. (i) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.1(n), the Company and
-----
its subsidiaries have duly filed all United States federal and foreign tax and
information returns, all state and local income, windfall profits, gross
receipts and franchise tax and information returns, and all state and local
sales, use, excise and real and personal property and other tax returns relating
to the Company and its subsidiaries for all periods for which returns are
-17-
<PAGE>
required to be filed, except for those returns the failure of which to file
would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, properties,
business or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a
whole, and said filed returns are complete and accurate in all material
respects. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.1(n), all federal, state and local
tax returns with respect to income tax withholding and social security and
unemployment taxes relating to the Company and its subsidiaries have been duly
filed by the Company and its subsidiaries for all periods for which returns are
required to be filed, except for those returns the failure of which to file
would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, properties,
business or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a
whole, and said filed returns are complete and accurate in all material
respects. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.1(n), the Company and its
subsidiaries have paid or reserved for all Taxes due with respect to all filed
tax returns described in the preceding two sentences (the "Tax Returns") and all
assessments received to the extent that such taxes have been due. For all
taxable years to and including the taxable year ending December 31, 1990, all
United States federal income tax returns of the Company and its subsidiaries
have been audited or the period for assessment of taxes in respect of which such
federal income tax returns were required to be filed has expired and all
deficiencies assessed as a result of such audits have been paid and settled.
Except as set forth in Schedule 4.1(n), there are no issues currently pending
which have been raised by the Internal Revenue Service in connection with the
examination of any United States federal income tax returns of the Company and
its subsidiaries, except for issues the resolution of which is not likely to
have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, properties, business
or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
To the best knowledge and belief of the Company and its subsidiaries, there are
no deficiencies or assessments which have not been paid or settled nor any
issues currently pending which have been raised by any taxing authority in
connection with the examination of any Tax Returns other than United States
federal income tax returns of the Company and its subsidiaries except for
deficiencies, assessments or issues the payment, settlement or resolution of
which is not likely to have a material adverse effect on the financial
condition, properties, business or results of operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole;
(o) Labor Matters. To the knowledge of the Company's management, (i) the
-------------
business of the Company and
-18-
<PAGE>
its subsidiaries is operating and has been operated in compliance with
applicable laws respecting employment and employment practices, terms and
conditions of employment and wages and hours, including the Immigration Reform
and Control Act ("IRCA"), the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act
of 1988 ("WARN Act"), any such applicable laws respecting employment
discrimination, equal employment opportunity, affirmative action, employee
privacy, wrongful or unlawful termination, workers' compensation, occupational
safety and health requirements, labor-management relations and unemployment
insurance, except as would not have a material adverse effect on the financial
condition, properties, business or results of operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole; (ii) there is neither pending nor threatened
against the Company or any of its subsidiaries any labor strike or work
stoppage, or any other labor dispute or grievance that is likely to have a
material adverse impact on the financial condition, properties, business or
results of the operation of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole,
and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has experienced any work
stoppage in the past 36 months; and (iii) except for the contracts, agreements
and other arrangements listed in Schedule 4.1(o), neither the Company nor any of
its subsidiaries is a party to or otherwise bound by any contract or other
agreement with any labor union or association representing any Employee; and
(p) Insurance. True and complete copies of all material insurance policies
---------
maintained by the Company have been made available to Purchaser. Such policies
provide coverage for the operations of the Company and its subsidiaries in
amounts and covering such risks as the Company believes is necessary to conduct
its business. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received
formal notice that any such policy is invalid or unenforceable.
4.2. Representations and Warranties of Purchaser and Merger Sub.
----------------------------------------------------------
Purchaser and Merger Sub represent and warrant to the Company that:
(a) Corporate Organization and Qualification. Each of Purchaser and
----------------------------------------
Merger Sub is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation and is
in good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction where the
properties owned, leased or operated, or the business conducted, by it require
such qualification except for such failure to so qualify or to be in such good
standing, which, when taken together with all other such
-19-
<PAGE>
failures, would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition,
properties, business or results of operations of Purchaser and its subsidiaries,
taken as a whole. All of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Merger Sub
is directly or indirectly owned by Purchaser, free and clear of any liens,
mortgages, pledges, charges, claims, security interests or encumbrances that
would, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the
ability of Purchaser or Merger Sub to consummate the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.
(b) Corporate Authority. Purchaser and Merger Sub each has the requisite
-------------------
corporate power and authority and has taken all corporate action necessary in
order to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. This Agreement is a valid and binding agreement of
Purchaser and Merger Sub enforceable against Purchaser and Merger Sub in
accordance with its terms.
(c) Governmental Filings; No Violations. (i) Other than the Regulatory
-----------------------------------
Filings, no notices, reports or other filings are required to be made by
Purchaser and Merger Sub with, nor are any consents, registrations, approvals,
permits or authorizations required to be obtained by Purchaser and Merger Sub
from, any Governmental Entity in connection with the execution and delivery of
this Agreement by Purchaser and Merger Sub and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby by Purchaser and Merger Sub, the failure to
make or obtain any or all of which would have a material adverse effect on the
ability of Purchaser or Merger Sub to consummate the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.
(ii) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Purchaser and Merger
Sub does not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will
not, constitute or result in (x) a breach or violation of, or a default under,
the Certificate or By-Laws (or comparable governing instruments) of Purchaser or
Merger Sub, (y) a breach or violation of, a default under, the acceleration of
or the creation of a lien, pledge, security interest or other encumbrance on
assets (with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time) pursuant to,
any provision of any Contract of Purchaser or Merger Sub or any law, rule,
ordinance or regulation or judgment, decree, order, award or governmental or
nongovernmental permit or license to which Purchaser or Merger Sub is subject or
(z) any change in the rights or obligations of any party under any Contract to
which Purchaser or Merger Sub is a party or is subject, except, in the case of
clause (y) or (z) above,
-20-
<PAGE>
for such breaches, violations, defaults, accelerations or changes that, alone or
in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect on the ability of
Purchaser or Merger Sub to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
(d) Funds. Purchaser has or will have, and shall make available to Merger
-----
Sub, as and when required, the funds necessary to consummate the Merger in
accordance with the terms hereof and to satisfy or refinance any obligations
relating to any outstanding indebtedness of the Company the maturity of which
may come due as a result of the Company entering into this Agreement or the
consummation of the Merger.
ARTICLE V
Covenants
5.1. Interim Operations of the Company. The Company covenants and agrees
---------------------------------
that, prior to the Effective Time (unless Purchaser shall otherwise agree in
writing and except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement):
(a) the business of the Company and its subsidiaries shall be
conducted only in the ordinary and usual course and, to the extent
consistent therewith, each of the Company and its subsidiaries shall use
all reasonable efforts to preserve its business organization and goodwill
intact, keep available the services of its officers and employees as a
group and maintain its existing relations with customers, suppliers,
distributors, employees and others having business relationships with it,
in each case in all material respects;
(b) the Company and its subsidiaries shall not (i) sell or pledge or
agree to sell or pledge any stock owned by it in any of its subsidiaries;
(ii) adopt or propose any amendment or change of their respective Articles
or By-Laws; (iii) split, combine or reclassify the outstanding Shares; or
(iv) declare, set aside or pay any dividend payable in cash, stock or
property with respect to the Shares, except for regular quarterly cash
dividends not in excess of $0.17 per Share;
(c) except as set forth in Schedule 5.1(c), neither the Company nor
any of its subsidiaries shall (i) issue, sell, pledge, dispose of or
encumber any
-21-
<PAGE>
additional shares of, or securities convertible or exchangeable for, or
options, warrants, calls, commitments or rights of any kind to acquire, any
shares of its capital stock of any class of the Company or its subsidiaries
or any other property or assets other than, in the case of the Company,
shares of Class A Common Stock issuable pursuant to options outstanding on
the date hereof under the Stock Plans; (ii) transfer, lease, license,
guarantee, sell, mortgage, pledge, dispose of or encumber any material
assets or incur or modify any indebtedness or other liability or issue any
debt securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for debt
securities or assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise as an accommodation
become responsible for the obligations of any person, in each case other
than in the ordinary and usual course of business and in a manner
consistent with past practice; (iii) acquire directly or indirectly by
redemption or otherwise any shares of the capital stock of the Company;
(iv) authorize or make capital expenditures in excess of $1,000,000
individually; (v) make any acquisition of assets (other than in the
ordinary course of business) or investment in the stock of any other person
or entity; or (vi) merge or consolidate with any other person;
(d) except as set forth in Schedule 5.1(d), other than in the
ordinary and usual course of business consistent with past practice or
pursuant to obligations imposed by collective bargaining agreements,
neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall increase the
compensation payable or to become payable to its executive officers or
employees, enter into any contract or other binding commitment in respect
of any such increase or grant any severance or termination pay (other than
pursuant to a Plan or policy existing as of the date hereof) to, or enter
into any employment or severance agreement with any director, officer or
other employee of the Company or such subsidiaries, and neither the Company
nor any of its subsidiaries shall establish, adopt, enter into, make any
new grants or awards under or amend, any collective bargaining agreement or
Plan, except as required by applicable law, including any obligation to
engage in good faith collective bargaining, to maintain tax-qualified
status or as may be required by any Plan existing as of the date hereof;
(e) except as set forth in Schedule 5.1(e), neither the Company nor
any of its subsidiaries shall settle or compromise any material claims or
litigation
-22-
<PAGE>
or, except in the ordinary and usual course of business, modify, amend or
terminate any of its material Contracts or waive, release or assign any
material rights or claims, or make any payment, direct or indirect, of any
material liability of the Company or any subsidiary before the same becomes
due and payable in accordance with its terms;
(f) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall take any
action, other than reasonable and usual actions in the ordinary course of
business and consistent with past practice with respect to accounting
policies or procedures (including tax accounting policies and procedures)
and except as may be required by the SEC or the Financial Accounting
Standards Board;
(g) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall make any
material tax election or permit any material insurance policy naming it as
a beneficiary or a loss payable payee to be cancelled or terminated without
notice to Purchaser, except in the ordinary and usual course of business;
and
(h) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall authorize
or enter into an agreement to do any of the foregoing.
5.2. Acquisition Proposals. The Company agrees that neither the
---------------------
Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall, and the Company shall direct and use
all reasonable efforts to cause the respective officers and directors of the
Company or its subsidiaries and the employees, agents and representatives of the
Company and its subsidiaries (including, without limitation, any investment
banker, attorney or accountant retained by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries) not to, initiate, solicit or encourage, directly or indirectly,
any inquiries or the making of any proposal or offer (including, without
limitation, any proposal or offer to shareholders of the Company) with respect
to a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving, or any purchase of
(a) all or any significant portion of the assets of the Company or any of its
significant subsidiaries listed in clause (c) of this Section 5.2, (b) 25% or
more of the outstanding shares of the Class A Common Stock and/or the Class B
Common Stock of the Company or (c) a majority of the outstanding shares of the
capital stock of the Company's significant subsidiaries (American Maize-Products
Decatur Inc., American Maize-Products Dimmitt Inc. or Swisher International,
Inc.) in each case other than any transaction contemplated by the GIH
-23-
<PAGE>
Stock Purchase Agreement or the Swisher Stock Purchase Agreement (any such
proposal or offer being hereinafter referred to as an "Acquisition Proposal")
or, except to the extent legally required for the discharge by the Company's
Board of Directors of its fiduciary duties as advised by outside counsel to the
Company, engage in any negotiations concerning, or provide any confidential
information or data to, or have any discussions with, any person relating to an
Acquisition Proposal, or otherwise facilitate any effort or attempt to make or
implement an Acquisition Proposal or enter into any agreement or understanding
with any other person or entity with the intent to effect any Acquisition
Proposal. The Company shall immediately cease and cause to be terminated any
existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any parties conducted
heretofore with respect to any of the foregoing. The Company shall use all
reasonable efforts to take all necessary steps to inform the individuals or
entities referred to in the first sentence hereof of the obligations undertaken
in this Section 5.2. The Company shall promptly notify Purchaser if any such
inquiries or proposals are received by, any such information is requested from
or any such negotiations or discussions are sought to be initiated or continued
with the Company, shall promptly inform Purchaser of all terms and conditions
thereof and shall promptly furnish Purchaser with copies of any such written
inquiries or proposals. The Company also shall promptly request each person
which has heretofore executed a confidentiality agreement in connection with its
consideration of acquiring the Company to return all confidential information
heretofore furnished to such person by or on behalf of the Company. Nothing
contained in this Section 5.2 shall prohibit the Company or its Board of
Directors from taking and disclosing to the Company's stockholders a position
with respect to a tender offer by a third party pursuant to Rules 14d-9 and 14e-
2 promulgated under the Exchange Act or from making such disclosure to the
Company's stockholders which, as advised by outside counsel to the Company, is
required under applicable law.
5.3. Meeting of the Company's Shareholders. The Company shall take,
-------------------------------------
consistent with applicable law and its Articles and By-Laws, all action
necessary to duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of holders of
Shares as promptly as practicable to consider and vote upon the approval of this
Agreement and the Merger and the approval of an amendment to the Articles of the
Company making Section 910 of the MBCA inapplicable to the Company, which
amendment shall become effective at the time described in Section 5.4(a) below.
Subject to fiduciary requirements of applicable law, the Board of Directors of
the Company shall recommend such approvals and the Company shall take
-24-
<PAGE>
all lawful action to solicit such approvals. The Company's proxy or information
statement with respect to such meeting of shareholders (the "Proxy Statement"),
at the date thereof and at the date of such meeting, will not include an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however,
-------- -------
that the foregoing shall not apply to the extent that any such untrue statement
of a material fact or omission to state a material fact was made by the Company
in reliance upon and in conformity with written information concerning (i) the
Purchaser Companies furnished to the Company by Purchaser specifically for use
in the Proxy Statement or (ii) any other party to the GIH Stock Purchase
Agreement furnished to the Company by any such party specifically for use in the
Proxy Statement. The Proxy Statement shall not be filed, and no amendment or
supplement to the Proxy Statement shall be made by the Company, without
consultation with Purchaser and its counsel. None of the written information
concerning the Purchaser Companies furnished to the Company by Purchaser
specifically for use in the Proxy Statement, at the date hereof and at the date
of the stockholders' meeting, will include an untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading.
5.4. Filings; Other Action. Subject to the terms and conditions
---------------------
herein provided, the Company and Purchaser (a) shall promptly make their
respective filings and thereafter make any other required submissions under the
HSR Act and other Regulatory Filings with respect to the Merger and the
amendment to the Articles of the Company with respect to Section 910 of the
MBCA; provided, however, that the articles of amendment for such amendment to
-------- -------
the Articles shall not be filed with the Secretary of State of Maine until all
conditions to the obligations of Purchaser and Merger Sub hereunder (other than
the condition with respect to the amendment of the Articles) shall have been
fulfilled or shall have been waived by Purchaser and Merger Sub; and (b) shall
use their best efforts promptly to take, or cause to be taken, all other action
and do, or cause to be done, all other things necessary, proper or appropriate
under applicable laws and regulations to consummate and make effective the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In addition, the Company shall use
all reasonable efforts, upon the request of Purchaser, to take, or cause to be
taken, all other action and do, or cause to be done, all other things reasonably
necessary, proper or appropriate (i)
-25-
<PAGE>
under applicable laws and regulations to consummate and make effective the
transactions contemplated by the Swisher Stock Purchase Agreement to the extent
not otherwise required by this Agreement and (ii) to permit the independent
ownership and operation of the Company and Swisher International, Inc.
subsequent to consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Swisher Stock
Purchase Agreement (including, without limitation, such actions as shall be
necessary to ensure uninterrupted third-party insurance coverage for such risks
and in such amounts as the Purchaser shall reasonably direct with respect to the
business and operations of the Company and Swisher International, Inc.).
5.5. Access. Upon reasonable notice, the Company shall (and shall
------
cause each of its subsidiaries to) afford the officers, employees, counsel,
accountants and other authorized representatives ("Representatives") of
Purchaser and the Ziegler Parties access, during normal business hours
throughout the period prior to the Effective Time, to its employees, properties,
books, Contracts and records and, during such period, the Company shall (and
shall cause each of its subsidiaries to) furnish promptly to Purchaser and the
Ziegler Parties, as the case may be, all information concerning its business,
properties and personnel as Purchaser and the Ziegler Parties, as the case may
be, or their respective Representatives may reasonably request, provided that no
--------
investigation pursuant to this Section 5.5 shall affect or be deemed to modify
any representation or warranty made by the Company. All requests for
information made pursuant to this Section shall be directed to an executive
officer of the Company or such person as may be designated by any such officer.
Upon any termination of this Agreement, Purchaser and the Ziegler Parties shall
collect and deliver to the Company all documents obtained by them or any of
their respective Representatives then in their possession and any copies
thereof. All information obtained by Purchaser and its Representatives pursuant
to this Section 5.5 shall be subject to the provisions of the confidentiality
agreement, dated January 30, 1995, between Purchaser and the Company (the
"Purchaser Confidentiality Agreement"). All information obtained by the Ziegler
Parties and their Representatives pursuant to this Section 5.5 shall be subject
to the provisions of the confidentiality agreement, dated July 17, 1995, between
the Ziegler Parties and the Company (the "Ziegler Confidentiality Agreement").
5.6. Notification of Certain Matters. (a) The Company shall, as
-------------------------------
promptly as practicable, notify Purchaser of:
-26-
<PAGE>
(i) any formal notice of any default or event that, with notice or
lapse of time or both, would become a default, received by the Company or
any of its subsidiaries subsequent to the date of this Agreement and prior
to the Effective Time, under any Contract to which the Company or any of
its subsidiaries is a party or is subject, except for defaults under such
Contracts which are, individually or in the aggregate, not material to the
financial condition, properties, business or results of operations of the
Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole;
(ii) any formal notice of (y) any alleged or actual violation of an
Environmental Law or (z) any other state of affairs or event that, with the
lapse of time, is reasonably likely to become a violation of Environmental
Law, except in each case for violations that are not reasonably likely,
individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the
financial condition, properties, business or results of operations of the
Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, received by the Company or
any of its subsidiaries subsequent to the date of this Agreement and prior
to the Effective Time; and
(iii) any material adverse change in the financial condition,
properties, business or results of operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole or the occurrence of any event which, so far
as reasonably can be foreseen at the time of its occurrence, would result
in any such change, or any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant
or agreement contained herein, in each case if known by the Company's
management.
(b) Each of the Company and Purchaser shall promptly notify the other
party of:
(i) any notice or other communication from any third party alleging
that the consent of such third party is or may be required in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(ii) any notice or other communication from any governmental or
regulatory agency or authority in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement; and
(iii) any actions, suits, claims, investigations or proceedings
commenced or, to the best of its knowledge threatened against, relating to
or involving or
-27-
<PAGE>
otherwise affecting the Company or any subsidiary which relate to the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
5.7. Publicity. The initial press release shall be a joint press
---------
release and thereafter the Company and Purchaser shall, to the extent possible,
consult with each other prior to issuing any press releases or otherwise making
public statements with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and prior
to making any filings with any Governmental Entity or with any national
securities exchange with respect thereto.
5.8. Indemnification; Directors' and Officers' Insurance. (a) From
---------------------------------------------------
and after the Effective Time, Purchaser agrees that it will indemnify and hold
harmless each present and former director or officer of the Company (in each
case solely in such person's capacity as a director or officer of the Company,
as the case may be), determined as of the Effective Time (the "Indemnified
Parties"), against any costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees),
judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages or liabilities (collectively, "Costs")
incurred in connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or
investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, arising
out of matters existing or occurring at or prior to the Effective Time, whether
asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Effective Time, to the fullest
extent that the Company would have been permitted under applicable law and
required under its By-Laws or pursuant to other agreements, each as in effect on
the date hereof, to indemnify such person (and Purchaser shall also advance
expenses as incurred to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law and
required under its By-Laws and such other agreements provided that the person to
--------
whom expenses are advanced provides an undertaking to repay such advances if it
is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to indemnification);
provided that any determination required to be made with respect to whether an
- --------
officer's or director's conduct complies with the standards set forth under
Maine law, the Articles and the Company's By-Laws shall be made by independent
counsel selected by the Surviving Corporation.
(b) In addition, from and after the Effective Time, Purchaser agrees
that it will fully indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified Parties against
all Costs incurred in connection with the claims, actions, suits, proceedings
and investigations set forth in Schedule 4.1(g) hereto and will also fully
advance expenses as incurred in connection
-28-
<PAGE>
therewith to the extent indemnity or insurance coverage is not otherwise
available.
(c) Any Indemnified Party wishing to claim indemnification under
paragraph (a) of this Section 5.8, upon learning of any such claim, action,
suit, proceeding or investigation, shall promptly notify Purchaser thereof. In
the event of any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation (whether
arising before or after the Effective Time) described under paragraphs (a) or
(b) of this Section 5.8, (i) Purchaser or the Surviving Corporation shall have
the right to assume the defense thereof and Purchaser shall not be liable to
such Indemnified Parties for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other
expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Parties in connection with
the defense thereof, (ii) the Indemnified Parties shall cooperate in the defense
of any such matter and (iii) Purchaser shall not be liable for any settlement
effected without its prior written consent; provided, however, that any
-------- -------
Indemnified Party wishing to claim indemnification under paragraph (a) or (b) of
this Section 5.8 shall first demand indemnity from the Surviving Corporation in
accordance with applicable law, the Surviving Corporation's By-laws and any
agreements or contracts by which the Surviving Corporation is bound or is
subject, and shall not make demand on Purchaser unless and until the Surviving
Corporation shall have refused such demand in whole or in part, but in no event
shall this period be longer than 30 days from the date of such demand; and
---
provided further that Purchaser shall not have any obligation under paragraph
- -------- -------
(a) of this Section 5.8 to any Indemnified Party when and if a court of
competent jurisdiction shall ultimately determine, and such determination shall
have become final and nonappealable, that the indemnification of such
Indemnified Party in the manner contemplated hereby is prohibited by applicable
law.
(d) Purchaser shall maintain or cause the Surviving Corporation to
maintain the Company's existing officers' and directors' liability insurance
policies or replacement policies covering the same persons and containing terms
which are, in the aggregate, no less advantageous to such persons than such
existing policies ("D&O Insurance") for a period of six years after the
Effective Time; provided, however, that in no event shall Purchaser or the
-------- -------
Surviving Corporation be required to make annual premium payments to obtain such
Insurance Coverage in excess of 150% of the last annual premium paid prior to
the date hereof (the"Cap"); provided further that if the D&O Insurance cannot be
-------- -------
obtained for an amount less than or equal to the Cap during such six year
period, Purchaser shall use its best efforts to obtain, or cause the Surviving
-29-
<PAGE>
Corporation to obtain, as much D&O Insurance as can be obtained for the
remainder of such period for a premium not in excess (on an annualized basis) of
the Cap.
5.9. Takeover Statute. If any "fair price", "moratorium", "control
----------------
share acquisition" or other form of antitakeover statute or regulation shall
become applicable to the Merger contemplated by this Agreement, the Company and
the members of the Board of Directors of the Company shall grant such approvals
and take such actions as are reasonably necessary so that the Merger may be
consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated hereby and
otherwise act to eliminate or minimize the effects of such statute or regulation
on the Merger.
5.10. Employment Contracts and Employee Benefits. (a) From and
------------------------------------------
after the Effective Time, Purchaser and the Surviving Corporation shall honor in
accordance with their terms all existing individual employment, severance, early
retirement, deferred compensation, consulting and salary continuation agreements
listed and specifically denoted on Schedule 4.1(h)(B) and (C) between the
Company and any of its subsidiaries and any current or former officer, director,
employee or consultant of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
(b) From the Effective Time through June 30, 1997, Purchaser shall
cause the Surviving Corporation and its successors to provide the employees of
the Company and its subsidiaries with employee benefit plans and programs (other
than the Stock Option Plans) which in the aggregate are no less favorable in all
material respects than those provided to such employees on the date hereof;
provided, however, that the Surviving Corporation shall not be required to
- -------- -------
maintain any specific benefit plans or programs.
(c) Purchaser shall cause the Surviving Corporation to pay each person
employed at the Company's corporate headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut on the
date hereof whose employment is terminated by the Surviving Corporation within
one year following such consummation (other than termination for cause) a lump-
sum severance payment upon such termination equal to the product of (x) one
month of such employee's base salary at the time of termination and (y) the
number of full years of service such employee has accumulated with the Company
and the Surviving Corporation, up to a maximum of 18 years of service credit;
provided that this Section 5.10(c) shall not apply to any employee who is
- --------
eligible to receive a severance payment upon termination by virtue of such
employee's employment contract
-30-
<PAGE>
with the Company and shall be reduced by any other severance payment due to the
employee.
5.11. Investment. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall
----------
amend its Capital Accumulation Plan (the "CAP") to provide that it shall not be
permitted to invest in Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock as of the
Effective Time.
ARTICLE VI
Conditions
6.1. Conditions to Obligations of Purchaser and Merger Sub. The
-----------------------------------------------------
respective obligations of Purchaser and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger are
subject to the fulfillment of each of the following conditions, any or all of
which may be waived in whole or in part by Purchaser or Merger Sub, as the case
may be, to the extent permitted by applicable law:
(a) Shareholder Approval. This Agreement and the Merger shall have
--------------------
been duly approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of
the outstanding shares of the Class A Common Stock (voting as a class) and the
affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of
the Class B Common Stock (voting as a class), in accordance with applicable law
and the Articles and By-Laws of the Company, if required by applicable law;
(b) Amendment to Articles. An amendment to the Articles of the
---------------------
Company pursuant to which the Company opts out of Section 910 of the MBCA
effective following the fulfillment or waiver of all conditions to the
obligations of Purchaser and Merger Sub hereunder (other than the condition set
forth in this paragraph (b)) shall have been duly approved by the Board of
Directors of the Company and by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting
power of the outstanding shares of the Class A Common Stock (voting as a class)
and the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding
shares of Class B Common Stock (voting as a class);
(c) Dissenters' Rights. Dissenting Shareholders shall have taken the
------------------
actions required to exercise appraisal rights pursuant to Section 909 of the
MBCA with respect to no more than 7% of the outstanding Shares;
-31-
<PAGE>
(d) Governmental and Regulatory Consents. The waiting period
------------------------------------
applicable to the consummation of the Merger under the HSR Act shall have
expired or been terminated;
(e) Order. No court or other Governmental Entity of competent
-----
jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any
statute, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, injunction or other order (whether
temporary, preliminary or permanent) which is in effect and (x) prohibits
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (y) imposes
material restrictions on the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement or (z) imposes material restrictions on the business operations
of Purchaser, Merger Sub or the Company as a result of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, either prior to or subsequent to the Merger; and
(f) Performance of Obligations. The Company shall have performed and
--------------------------
complied in all material respects with all agreements and obligations required
by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the
Effective Time.
6.2. Conditions to Obligations of the Company. The obligations of
----------------------------------------
the Company to consummate the Merger are subject to the fulfillment of each of
the following conditions, any or all of which may be waived in whole or in part
by the Company to the extent permitted by applicable law:
(a) Shareholder Approval. This Agreement and the Merger shall have
--------------------
been duly approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of
the outstanding shares of the Class A Common Stock (voting together as a class)
and the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding
shares of the Class B Common Stock (voting as a class), in accordance with
applicable law and the Articles and By-Laws of the Company, if required by
applicable law;
(b) Governmental and Regulatory Consents. The waiting period
------------------------------------
applicable to the consummation of the Merger under the HSR Act shall have
expired or been terminated;
(c) Order. No court or other Governmental Entity of competent
-----
jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any
statute, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, injunction or other order (whether
temporary, preliminary or permanent) which is in effect and prohibits
consummation of the transactions
-32-
<PAGE>
contemplated by this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof; and
(d) Performance of Obligations. Purchaser and Merger Sub shall have
--------------------------
performed and complied in all material respects with all agreements and
obligations required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by them
on or prior to the Effective Time.
ARTICLE VII
Termination
7.1. Termination by Mutual Consent. This Agreement may be terminated
-----------------------------
and the Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, before
or after the approval by holders of Shares, by the mutual consent of Purchaser
and the Company, by action of their respective Boards of Directors.
7.2. Termination by either Purchaser or the Company. This Agreement
----------------------------------------------
may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned by action of the Board of
Directors of either Purchaser or the Company if (a) the Merger shall not have
been consummated by February 29, 1996 whether or not such date is before or
after the approval by holders of Shares (provided that the right to terminate
--------
this Agreement under this Section 7.2(a) shall not be available to any party
whose failure to fulfill any obligation under this Agreement has been the cause
or resulted in the failure of the Merger not to have been consummated by such
date), (b) any court of competent jurisdiction has issued an injunction
permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of
the Merger, which injunction has become final and nonappealable or (c) the
approvals of shareholders required by Section 6.1(a) and (b) shall not have been
obtained at a meeting duly convened therefor.
7.3. Termination by Purchaser. This Agreement may be terminated and
------------------------
the Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the consummation of the Merger,
by action of the Board of Directors of Purchaser, if (a) the Company shall have
breached or failed to perform in any material respect any of its obligations,
covenants or agreements under this Agreement or any representation or warranty
of the Company set forth in this Agreement shall have been untrue or incorrect
in any material respect when made or thereafter shall become untrue or incorrect
in any material respect, except where such breach, failure to perform or lack of
truthfulness or correctness has been caused by or
-33-
<PAGE>
results from a breach by the Purchaser or the Merger Sub of any of their
obligations under this Agreement, (b) the Board of Directors of the Company
shall have withdrawn or modified in a manner adverse to Purchaser or Merger Sub
its approval or recommendation of this Agreement or the Merger or the amendment
to the Articles of the Company opting out of Section 910 of the MBCA or (c) the
Board of Directors of the Company, upon request by Purchaser, shall fail to
reaffirm any such approval or recommendation, or shall have resolved to do any
of the foregoing referred to in clause (b) or (c) hereof.
7.4. Termination by the Company. This Agreement may be terminated
--------------------------
and the Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the consummation of the
Merger by action of the Board of Directors of the Company, if (a) Purchaser or
Merger Sub shall have breached or failed to perform in any material respect any
of their obligations, covenants or agreements under this Agreement or any
representation or warranty of Purchaser or Merger Sub set forth in this
Agreement shall have been untrue or incorrect in any material respect when made
or thereafter shall become untrue or incorrect in any material respect, except
where such breach, failure to perform or lack of truthfulness or correctness has
been caused by or results from a breach by the Company of any of its obligations
under this Agreement or (b) the Company receives an offer with respect to an
Acquisition Proposal and the Board of Directors of the Company, in the exercise
of its fiduciary duties as advised by outside counsel to the Company, determines
to recommend such Acquisition Proposal to the Company's stockholders; provided
--------
that the Company (i) shall notify Purchaser and Merger Sub promptly of receipt
of such Acquisition Proposal and (ii) shall notify Purchaser and Merger Sub
promptly of its intention to recommend such Acquisition Proposal to the
Company's shareholders, but in no event shall the notice referred to in clause
(ii) be given less than 24 hours prior to the earlier of the public announcement
of such recommendation or the Company's termination of this Agreement.
7.5. Effect of Termination and Abandonment.
-------------------------------------
(a) In the event of termination of this Agreement and abandonment of
the Merger pursuant to this Article VII, no party hereto (or any of its
directors or officers) shall have any liability or further obligation to any
other party to this Agreement, except as provided in Section 7.5(b) below and
Section 8.2 and except that nothing herein will relieve any party from liability
for any willful breach of this Agreement.
-34-
<PAGE>
(b) If (i) the Company receives an Acquisition Proposal (other than
from one of the Purchaser Companies) following the date hereof and prior to the
termination of this Agreement and (ii) after the date hereof, but within one
year of the date hereof, any corporation, partnership, person, other entity or
group (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than Purchaser
or Merger Sub or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates shall have
become the beneficial owner of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of each
of the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock, then the Company, if
requested by Purchaser, shall promptly, but in no event later than two days
after the date of such request, pay Purchaser a fee of 2.5% of the total dollar
value of the Merger, calculated as the product of (x) the number of Shares
outstanding as of the date hereof and (y) the Merger Consideration, which amount
---
shall be payable in immediately available funds; provided, however, that no fee
-------- -------
will be payable by the Company hereunder if this Agreement is terminated by the
Company due to a breach by Purchaser or Merger Sub of its obligations under this
Agreement. The Company acknowledges that the agreements contained in this
Section 7.5(b) are an integral part of the transactions contemplated in this
Agreement, and that, without these agreements, Purchaser and Merger Sub would
not enter into this Agreement; accordingly, if the Company fails to pay promptly
the amount due pursuant to this Section 7.5(b), and, in order to obtain such
payment, Purchaser or Merger Sub commences a suit which results in a judgment
against the Company for the fee set forth in this paragraph (b), the Company
shall pay to Purchaser or Merger Sub its costs and expenses (including
attorneys' fees) in connection with such suit, together with interest on the
amount of the fee at the prime lending rate for money borrowed as announced from
time to time by Citibank, N.A. on the date such payment was required to be made.
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous and General
8.1. Payment of Expenses. Whether or not the Merger shall be
-------------------
consummated, and subject to Section 7.5(b) hereof, each party hereto shall pay
its own expenses incident to preparing for, entering into and carrying out this
Agreement and the consummation of the Merger.
8.2. Survival. The agreements of the Company, Purchaser and Merger
--------
Sub contained in Sections 3.2 (but only to the extent that such Section
expressly relates to actions
-35-
<PAGE>
to be taken after the Effective Time), 3.3, 3.4, 5.8, 5.9, 5.10 and 8.1 shall
survive the consummation of the Merger. The agreements of the Company,
Purchaser and Merger Sub contained in the last two sentences of Section 5.5,
Section 7.5 and Section 8.1 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
All other representations, warranties, agreements and covenants in this
Agreement shall not survive the consummation of the Merger or the termination of
this Agreement.
8.3. Modification or Amendment. Subject to the applicable provisions
-------------------------
of the MBCA, at any time prior to the Effective Time, the parties hereto may
modify or amend this Agreement, by written agreement executed and delivered by
duly authorized officers of the respective parties.
8.4. Waiver of Conditions. The conditions to each of the parties'
--------------------
obligations to consummate the Merger are for the sole benefit of such party and
may be waived by such party in whole or in part to the extent permitted by
applicable law.
8.5. Counterparts. For the convenience of the parties hereto, this
------------
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each such counterpart
being deemed to be an original instrument, and all such counterparts shall
together constitute the same agreement.
8.6. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
-------------
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maine.
8.7. Notices. Any notice, request, instruction or other document to
-------
be given hereunder by any party to the others shall be in writing and delivered
personally or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid,
(a) If to Purchaser, addressed to Purchaser at:
14, avenue du General Leclerc
F92572 Neuilly-sur-Seine Cedex
75008 Paris, France
Attention: Ing. Luigi Brasca
Telephone: 33-1-41-43-10-40
Telecopier: 33-1-41-43-12-55
With a copy to:
Sullivan & Cromwell
125 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004
-36-
<PAGE>
Attention: Neil T. Anderson
Telephone: (212) 558-3653
Telecopier: (212) 558-3588
(b) If to Merger Sub, addressed to Merger Sub at:
1300 Fort Wayne National Bank Building
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802
Attention: Andrew C. Harvard
Telephone: (219) 425-5226
Telecopier: (219) 425-5154
With a copy to:
Sullivan & Cromwell
125 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004
Attention: Neil T. Anderson
Telephone: (212) 558-3653
Telecopier: (212) 558-3588
(c) If to the Company, addressed to the Company at:
250 Harbor Drive
Stamford, Connecticut 06902
Attention: Robert M. Stephan
Telephone: (203) 356-9000
Telecopier: (203) 324-4675
With a copy to:
Dewey Ballantine
1301 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019-6092
Attention: Morton A. Pierce
Telephone: (212) 259-6640
Telecopier: (212) 259-6333
or to such other persons or addresses as may be designated in writing by the
party to receive such notice.
8.8. Entire Agreement, etc. (a) This Agreement and the Purchaser
----------------------
Confidentiality Agreement (including any exhibits or Annexes hereto or thereto)
(i) constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all other prior agreements,
understandings, representations and warranties both written and oral, among the
parties, with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and (ii) shall
not be assignable by operation of law or otherwise and are not intended to
create any obligations to, or rights in respect of, any
-37-
<PAGE>
persons other than the parties hereto and thereto; provided, however, that
-------- -------
Purchaser may designate, by written notice to the Company, another wholly-owned
direct or indirect subsidiary to be a Constituent Corporation in lieu of Merger
Sub, in the event of which, all references herein to Merger Sub shall be deemed
references to such other subsidiary except that all representations and
warranties made herein with respect to Merger Sub as of the date of this
Agreement shall be deemed representations and warranties made with respect to
such other subsidiary as of the date of such designation.
(b) It is expressly agreed that all of the persons (and their
successors and assigns) who are beneficiaries of Sections 3.1(c) and 5.8
(whether as individuals or members of a class or group) shall be entitled to
enforce such Sections against Purchaser or the Surviving Corporation and such
Sections shall be binding on all successors and assigns of the Surviving
Corporation or of Purchaser.
8.9. Definition of "Subsidiary". When a reference is made in this
--------------------------
Agreement to a subsidiary of a party, the word "subsidiary" means any
corporation or other organization whether incorporated or unincorporated of
which at least a majority of the securities or interests having by the terms
thereof ordinary voting power to elect at least a majority of the board of
directors or others performing similar functions with respect to such
corporation or other organization is directly or indirectly owned or controlled
by such party or by any one or more of its subsidiaries, or by such party and
one or more of its subsidiaries.
8.10. Obligation of Purchaser. Whenever this Agreement requires
-----------------------
Merger Sub to take any action, such requirement shall be deemed to include an
undertaking on the part of Purchaser to cause Merger Sub to take such action.
-38-
<PAGE>
8.11. Captions. The Article, Section and paragraph captions herein
--------
are for convenience of reference only, do not constitute part of this Agreement
and shall not be deemed to limit or otherwise affect any of the provisions
hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by the duly authorized officers of the parties hereto on the date
first hereinabove written.
AMERICAN MAIZE-PRODUCTS COMPANY
By: /s/ PATRIC J. McLAUGHLIN
------------------------------
Name: Patric J. McLaughlin
Title: Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief
Executive Officer
ERIDANIA BEGHIN-SAY, S.A.
By: /s/ STEFANO MELONI
------------------------------
Name: Stefano Meloni
Title: Chairman
CERESTAR USA II, INC.
By: /s/ ANDREW C. HARVARD
------------------------------
Name: Andrew C. Harvard
Title: President
-39-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99.1
AMERICAN MAIZE-PRODUCTS COMPANY AND ERIDANIA
BEGHIN-SAY EXECUTIVE MERGER AGREEMENT
Stamford, Conn., July 26, 1995 -- American Maize-Products Company (ASE-AZE)
announced today that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with
Eridania Beghin-Say, S.A. providing for the acquisition of American Maize by
Eridania in a merger transaction at a purchase price of $40 per share.
In connection with the merger agreement, Eridania executed an agreement with the
stockholders of GIH Corp., which owns approximately 13% of outstanding American
Maize Class A shares and 47% of outstanding American Maize Class B shares, to
purchase all of the stock of GIH Corp. at a price calculated based on an
underlying value of $40 per share of American Maize stock owned by GIH Corp. In
addition, Eridania entered into an agreement with William Ziegler, III and the
trustees of certain trusts for the benefit of Mr. Ziegler pursuant to which,
immediately following the acquisition of American Maize, Eridania will sell 88%
of the common stock of Swisher International, Inc., the tobacco business of
American Maize, to the Ziegler group for $165 million. Eridania will retain the
remaining 12% interest in Swisher.
These transactions are subject to a number of conditions, including, among
others, receipt of financing by the Ziegler group for the purchase of Swisher
and approval by American Maize shareholders of the merger.
American Maize, based in Stamford, Connecticut, produces corn sweeteners and a
variety of specialty food and industrial starches at plants in Hammond, Indiana;
Decatur, Alabama and Dimmitt, Texas. The Company also produces cigars and
smokeless tobacco products at plants located in Jacksonville, Florida and
Wheeling, West Virginia.
